U.N. Extends Mandate in Iraq

UNITED NATIONS — The U.N. Security Council voted unanimously Tuesday to extend the mandate of the nearly 180,000-strong multinational force in Iraq for a year, a move the United States called a significant signal of international commitment to Iraq's political transition.

The resolution, which was co-sponsored by the United States, Britain, Denmark, Japan and Romania, was adopted in response to a request from Iraqi Prime Minister Ibrahim al-Jaafari for the U.S.-led force to remain in the country.

The resolution extends the force's mandate until Dec. 31, 2006, with a review after eight months. Under its terms, the council will "terminate this mandate earlier if requested by the government of Iraq."

… The 15 UN Security Council members are : Argentina, Benin, Brazil, China, Denmark, France, Greece, Japan, Philippines, Romania, Russian Federation, UK, United Republic of Tanzania, United States, Algeria. Permanent members are China, France, UK, Russia, and US. The remaining 10 members are elected and serve 2 years terms. Only permanent members have veto power.

… Think of it as the 5 permanent members allowing the elected 10 to rotate and receive reward for voting; take turns feeling important and special in the worldly scheme. Sort of the same way kindergarten teachers create awards so every child gets a gold start to take home.

Bolton has said of the UN "it's a tool in the armory." Ain't that the truth. While American leftish scholars and experts whined about Bolton's nomination to the UN – the ambassadors from China, Russia, UK, and France had no problem at the prospect of dealing with Bolton. China's ambassador Wang stated Bolton "seems reasonable … we can work together."

Many think of the UN as a meeting of humanity singing koombaya and making agreements to not destroy the planet. But the UN's sole purpose is to legitimize the acts of the major powers – China, Russia, and the US with the UK and France tagging along (they might come in useful, and besides they're "family"). Germany and Japan currently seek permanent membership status but, for appearance's sake, are still smacked around as post WWII stepchildren and probably will be for another generation. The song might better be "Then it's hi! hi! hee!In the field artillery, Shout out your numbers loud and strong, For where'er you go, You will always know That the Caissons go rolling along."

There is no international UN reluctance to unanimously extend the Iraq war mandate, and we'll be out of Iraq as soon as the Iraqi government requests it. At any rate, the council members are all committed to Iraqi's political transition. In layman's terms : Determined to get a slice of the geopolitical pie hi! hi! hee! with artillery.